A 46-year-old man from Salford has received an 18-year extended sentence at Manchester Crown Court after being convicted of raping two women he met through online dating applications.
Kenny Cox appeared for sentence on Friday 23 October 2026 following a retrial that concluded an extensive investigation conducted by Greater Manchester Police’s Salford Criminal Investigation Department.
The prosecution detailed that Cox used dating apps to identify and contact his victims before arranging to meet them in person. The first offence took place on 7 November 2021, when a woman agreed to meet Cox after connecting online. They went to a property in Salford, where they consumed alcohol. The victim described suddenly feeling hazy, completely paralysed, and physically unable to move, during which time Cox carried out the rape. Once she regained mobility, she escaped the address in a taxi and reported the assault to police. Cox was arrested on 14 November 2021 and released on conditional bail.
While under investigation and subject to bail restrictions, Cox reoffended. On 4 September 2024, a second woman met him after connecting on a dating platform. Cox took her to an address in Salford and subjected her to a serious sexual assault and rape. The survivor managed to leave the property and immediately disclosed the attack to a relative, who contacted emergency services. Cox was rearrested on 8 September 2024, charged, and remanded in custody.
An initial trial took place in March 2025 but concluded with a hung jury. A retrial commenced in August 2026 at Manchester Crown Court. After hearing the evidence, the jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning unanimous guilty verdicts on two counts of rape and one count of attempted rape.
Statements read to the court outlined the profound trauma experienced by both survivors. The first victim described five years of severe emotional and physical fallout, noting that the guilty verdict finally provided accountability after enduring two separate trials. The second victim explained how the assault stripped away her independence and sense of security, sharing her determination to rebuild her confidence and regain her life.
Detective Sergeant James Walsh, of GMP’s Salford CID, commended the victims’ resolve, stating that both women showed incredible courage throughout two trials to ensure a dangerous and violent sexual predator was taken off the streets.
Passing sentence, the judge categorised Cox as a dangerous offender, imposing an extended sentence of 18 years, consisting of 14 years’ immediate custody and four years on extended licence. Under statutory provisions for dangerous offenders, Cox must serve at least two-thirds of the custodial term behind bars before the Parole Board will consider him for release.
The court also made Cox subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, issued indefinite restraining orders prohibiting any contact with both victims, placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for life, and permanently barred him from working with children or vulnerable adults.
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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